Justice Sunita Agarwal, Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court and Principal Patron of the State Legal Services Authority (GSLSA), has developed a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) titled “Prison Reforms” aimed at improving legal services for inmates in prison. He was imprisoned for long periods of time.

The beginning of this initiative was highlighted during the publication of a book compiled under the guidance of Justice Biren A. Vaishnav, Chief Executive Officer, GSLSA.

The SOP elaborates on critical issues such as lack of awareness regarding the availability of quality legal aid, overcrowding of prisons, socio-economic challenges faced by inmates’ families, and specific concerns regarding women inmates. It provides a structured approach for GSLSA to effectively address these issues.

The SOP also highlights measures taken to improve the mental health and general well-being of inmates. It also mentions future projects designed and planned by GSLSA to help improve the mental health of prison inmates.

The SOP discusses important issues such as inadequate awareness of quality legal aid in penal institutions of the state of Gujarat, socio-economic challenges faced by families of prisoners, overcrowding of prisons and specific issues affecting women prisoners. It also provides GSLSA with a systematic plan to address these concerns and improve the mental health and well-being of prisoners.

SOP establishes Legal Aid Services Clinics in all prisons staffed by trained Lawyer Volunteers (PLVs) who provide legal assistance. Once a prisoner is detained, a designated PLV will inform them of their rights to free legal aid if they are unable to obtain legal representation. PLV will also engage with the inmates’ family to address their concerns, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, and guide them on government welfare programs for financial and social support.

Additionally, PLVs will reach out to inmates who have not appealed their convictions and inform them of their rights to free legal aid. PLVs will also work towards gaining the convict’s faith and thus opening up to him, as well as making efforts to dispel any myths the convict has regarding free legal aid standards and helping him opt for criminal appeals. on time. Additionally, PLVs will be subject to regular sensitivity training provided by GSLSA.

The PLV will attempt to gain the prisoner’s trust through polite interaction at regular intervals so that the prisoner can open up to him.

The SOP emphasizes the appropriate management of youth allegations and the effective implementation of Under Trial Review Committee (UTRC) meetings.

All District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) are mandated to diligently comply with the guidelines set by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) to assess youth allegations made by accused persons.

The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) also addresses improving the mental health of prison inmates.

In response to multiple directives of the Supreme Court of India aimed at improving the mental health of long-suffering inmates in central prisons across the country, GSLSA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Department of Prisons, Government of Gujarat, and Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), a Psychologist at the Sabarmati Central Jail in Ahmedabad -Social Care Center established.

This center was launched as a pilot project with the aim of promoting the holistic mental well-being of inmates and addressing underlying mental health issues. The impact assessment conducted one year after the completion of the project revealed a significant success.

An average of 25 prisoners visit the center a day. A total of 2,169 individual sessions were held for prisoners throughout the year, and 64 female prisoners received basic counseling services. Services offered by the center include psychological evaluations, needs-based counseling and intervention sessions.

Gujarat State Legal Services Authority (GSLSA) plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU), in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs, to ensure that children in conflict with the law receive appropriate counseling for rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Department of Government of Gujarat.

Additionally, the SOP emphasizes: “Children and adolescents, regardless of gender, caste, community, social origin and residence status, are exposed to individual risks of potentially harmful events. Often, illegal opportunities are exploited to exploit them. Young people are involved in various crimes, become addicted to drugs “It was determined that they were violent towards their peers and participated in various antisocial gangs.”

Mental health experts recommend various measures for children’s homes, foster homes, special homes and children’s homes. These measures include assisting the Juvenile Justice Board in assessing the mental health and mental age of children in conflict with the law and assessing their functional capacity to meet developmental needs, such as identifying developmental delays, neurodevelopmental disorders, and behavioral and emotional functioning.

The professionals aim to assist and support the Board in adhering to the 16 principles set out in Part 3 of the Juvenile Justice Act 2015. They will offer psychological therapies using the neurocriminology model to help them develop alternative prosocial thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

The initiative will emphasize teaching positive social behaviors to replace antisocial thoughts and behaviors. Both the accused and the victim children experience self-blame, anger, revenge, guilt, regret, distress, etc. It aims to provide the best mental health services to reduce emotional problems related to mental illness.

Specific intervention plans will be prepared according to the specific needs of each child, with emphasis on determining the presence or level of any disease, disability, impairment or disability resulting from various conditions.

To help reduce pain caused by the above conditions through primary, secondary and tertiary interventions recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Therapeutic addiction-fighting group programs will be created for children struggling with substance addiction. Additionally, career guidance and assessments will be carried out to support professional progression as part of the wider initiative towards social integration.

Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, The book’s publisher on October 19 praised the Chief Justice’s attempt to institutionalize prison reforms. It is stated that GSLSA is the first authority to create a codified SOP addressing the concerns of undertrial prisoners and convicts. All District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) have been encouraged to implement the SOP diligently.

in it messageJustice Gavai described the SOP as an ideal framework to improve the conditions of long-term incarcerated prisoners.

A newsletter and magazine showcasing GSLSA’s legal service activities and unique initiatives were also published during the event.

Click to Read the Prison Reform Book